Auxiliary keyboard



Sept. 1?, 1935. GERHQLD 2,014,432

' AUXILIARY KEYBOARD Filed Jan. 23, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1

90 o a 9 Q 0 9 60 Q 8 5 Q Q l 70 o s '7 s Q 7 60 s e a 0 s 6 50 s o 5 0s 5 pp 8 s n. s Q 1, so a s 3 s s 2.0 s s a 0 0 2 40 Q s o e 1 Guido G-ex hb Id m; A an r we Sept. 1-7. 1935. G. GERHOLD 2,014,432

AUXILIARY KEYBOARD Filed Jan. 25, 19:55 7 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.2

II. If

f6 Gu do Ger/701d Patented Sept. 17, 1935 UNITED i STATES PATENT OFFICEsuxnlmnr KEYBOARD Guido Ger-hold, Vienna, Austria ApplicationJanuary 23,1933,v Serial No. 652,983

g In Austria February 15 1932 3 Claims.

of the latter in accordance with tables 01 figuresand the like. Whenmachines the order concerned (cash registers, adding machines, and thelike) are set for the recording of amounts whichv are read off fromtables (tables of interest, prices, dues, fees, and the like) theoperator must memorize the amounts concerned, even if only for a fewmoments, and must then set up the individual digits and ciphers on themachine from memory. This process of transference from the table to themachine thus necessitates to a certain extent mental work Irom' whichthere result sources of error and loss or time.

The present invention hasvfor its object to enable this mental work tobe replaced by mechanical work in such a manner that by mere actuationof releasing means (switch key or the like) corresponding to anyparticular item. in a table of figures all the digits and cipherspertaining to this item are set up by positive mechanical action andsimultaneously on the machine to which the accessory device according tothe present invention is fitted. The actual amount set up by theautomatic ,device need not .be known t the operator at all at the start.

The device according to the invention consists essentially of a system01 electric switches in which there is provided for each item of thetable a multiple switch ior as many contacts as there are numerals orsigns in one item of the table. By means of these switches currentconnections are established to electromagnets associated with theindividual keys of the registering or calculating machine in question.

The armatures of these electromagnets their operate, either by directaction or indirectly as relays, the keys or other setting elementsof thesaid machine.

The depression of the setting keys can, however, also be effected, asabove mentioned, by the application of force in other ways, for exampleby means of compressed air.

For the principle oi! the invention it is immaterial in what manner andby the use oi! what force the actuation of the setting means of theregistering gr calculating machine is carried out, whether by 'dperatingthe keys 0! this. machine or by operating directly on the internalmechanism (the keys being omitted), and whether electrically (forinstance with the use of electromagnets) mechanically (for instance withthe aid of Bowden wires), pneumatically, or otherwise.

- the following arrangement:

' drawings:

A constructional example embodying the .invention is illlustrated in theaccompanying drawings, for the readier understanding of the followingspecification, it being assumed-for the simpler representation or thisexample, that the table from which the readings are to be taken is ashort table of interest together with the main and supplementary chargesfor merely ten capital amounts in whole-month periods oi! interest.

The following table is thus taken as an example:

' The machine used is assumed to bee. cash register of a. normal typehaving, apart from other details, tour banks oi keys or nine keys eachin 10.-. S 8 10 c. c.

90..- 9.-- 90 9 80..- 8..- 80 8 7..- 70 7 so... a... 60 c 50.-- 5... 504.-. 40 4 30..- 8...- 30 3 2o.-- 2.-- '20 2 l0... 1... 10 1 In the moremodern machines the naughts (ciphers) do not require setting, andtherefore no key is provided therefor.

In cash registers of the type assumed the keys are arranged in arcs on abowed front.

Finally, in connection with the constructional example shown in thedrawings it is assumed that the operation of the keys is eflectedthrough relays, and that the operating force is supplied'in the oneexample by helical springs. In the Fig. 1 shows a diagram of connectionsfor the 11th and 12th months of an automatic accessory device for thesetting up of tables on registering machines in accordance with thepresent invenabove.

Fig. 2 shows a block of switch elements, in perspective; there being arow of switches for each vertical column or the table.

Fig. 3 is a perspective broad-side view of a row of switches.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of a row of switches.

Fig. 5 shows the lay-out of a block of spring-operated push-pins.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a row of springoperated pusher units ofthe type shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section or a pusherunit with relay.

Figs. 2 and 3 show that for each vertical column of the table (months)there is provided a row of switches I.

Each switch corresponds to a capital amount (one line) of the table, andis capable, in the present example, of establishing 1 to 4 contacts. Theswitches belonging to one column are structurally combined in a metalrail 2. They can, however, be manufactured singly or in groups, andsubsequently combined in any suitable manner.

When these banks or rows of switches are placed in juxtaposition thearrangement 01' the switches on the upper surface of the unit will beanalogous to that of the items in the table, that is to say there willbe twelve switches in the length or the unit (corresponding to thetwelve months 01' the table) and ten in the depth (corresponding to theten capital amounts).

It will be clear that it is equally possible to build up rows ofswitches for each of the lines of the table, instead of for each of thecolumns thereof, and then to place these rows one above the otherinstead or one next the other, to provide the complete switch-board.

The switch-board is provided with the appropriate inscriptions, such asat the top or at the bottom the months and at each line or on each keythe capital amount, to guide the operator.

The switches themselves are not confined to any particular form or type.

In the case of comparatively simple tables it will be possible to placethe switches so far apart that they can be provided with operating keyswhich project above the surface of the switchboard. In cases, however,in which it is necessary to crowd a large number of switches into asmall space, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, it is advisable to countersinkthe heads of the switches, and to arrange tor the individual switches tobe operated by the pressing in of a pin. In this connection it becomespossible to supply the current either through the metal rail 2 for allthe switches of a row in common or through this pin, and to providewithin the pin itself further indiv dual switches for other purposes,for instance for the account keys of the registering machine or for thecontrolling of a motor for driving this machine or for returning thepush-pins.

The switches illustrated, by wayoi example, in

Figs. 3 and 4 each consist 01' a stem 3 slidably fitted in holes in thesolid metal head piece 2, the said stem having at its upper end ascrewed-on head 4 and being adapted to be retained normally in theraised position by means of the helical spring 5. At its lower end thestem 3 is provided with two slotted spring leaves 8 which thus embodyfour contact springs.

The conducting wires leading from the switches to the relays aredisposed in groups corresponding to columns of figures of theregistering table and 2,014,432 tion, as arranged for the table of thetype given embedded in grooves in the insulating plates 1 and 8,saidplates are of a thickness of about four millimeters and disposedabout two millimeters apart from one another. At the upper end of theplates, tongues are provided which engage with grooves in the head piece2 made of metal. Between the plates I and 8 strips or plates ofinsulating material are inserted as required.

Each of the plates I and 8 is provided on one side in its length, thatis to say horizontally, with two sets of nine strips (wires) for theleads to the relays (groups 10 and 11 on plate 1, and groups 12 and 13on plate 8, see Figs. 2 and 4). Each group of strips is appropriate toone bank of keys on the cash register, and to the numerals 1 to 9 or 10to 90.

Between the switches i (Fig. 3) and those leads of the groups 10 to 13which are required at any one time for-each individual item in the tablethere are embedded on the second (outer) side of the contact-stripplates vertical strips l4 forming the counter-contacts for the switches,these strips or wires It being brought through to the inside of therespective plate through a. hole l5 at the top, and at the bottom endthrough a hole it to form contact .with the corresponding vertical stripon the inner side oi the plate. This connection can be effected eitherby bending over the lower end of the transverse strip and passing thesame through the hole or by making the transverse strips ll of each ofthe groups 10 to 13 of equal length over the entire group down to thebottom,

and establishing connection withthe longitudinal strips concerned bymeans of interchangeable rivets (or the like). On numerical alterationof the arrangement of the table it is merely necessary, in the formercase, to transpose the transverse strips, and in the latter case toshift the interchangeable rivets, clamps, or the like.

If, as is actually the case with the table here taken as an example forthe purpose or the present description, all the four times nine keys ofthe cash register be not required (the present table only goes as far as$31. so that the keys 40 to will not be required), it will be clear thatthe leads for the non-used keys can be omitted.

The longitudinal conductors (of all the rows of switches) destined forcooperation with the same relay are collected together at the end of theplates. This is effected, for example, by means of collecting grids l1and I8 (Fig. 2) of which the lower (l'l) collects the groups orconductors Ill and II from the plate 1, while the upper (l8) collectsthose of the groups 12 and 13 of the plate 8.

The connection between the conductors In to I3 and the members of thegrids l1 and I 8 is best e1- i'ected by means 01' flat sockets orreceptacles i9 and plugs 28. From the ends of the collecting fgrids theconnections to the relays are best effected by means of flexible cables.

The relays and the pusher elements for the operation of the keys of thecash register are comprised, in the example shown in Figs. 5 to 7, in aunit oriblock detachably mounted over the keys of the cash register.This block consists in the 6 main oi. i'our juxtaposed arc-shaped banksor pusher elements corresponding to the four banks of keys on the cashregister.

On the arc-shaped. member 2] there are arranged radially to the keys 22of the cash register the'push-pins 23 which pass with their lower end at2 through slotted guide holes in the bottom of the arc-shaped member,and which are guided at their upper end in sleeves 25. These sleeves arescrewed at their lower end into the ture 3B, of the relay which, withits nose 3 i efiects' the arresting of the push-pin when the spring 26is compressed.

If the'relay armaturebe attracted, the spring 23 presses the push-pin 23down upon the key 22 of the cash register. In order to permit of thereturn movement of this key after completion of the registering process,the push-pin 23 is adapted to be lifted by means of the toothed sectors32 and arc-shaped rack 33, until the tension of the armature spring 34brings the nose 3i oi the armature into engagement to arrest thepush-pin in the lifted and tensioned position, the helical spring 26being thereby recompressed.

The rack 33slides upon the surface of the are- I shaped member 2 l, andis guided between the side wall of this member and the suitablyflattened push-pins 23. For the operation of the toothed sectors 32 thisrack is required to carry out a short reciprocating movement which isimparted to it by the first of the toothed sectors. This sector is inits turn driven by the shaft 35 which passes through all four arc-shapedbasic members, and is adapted to be rotated at a suitable point by meansof a lever coupled thereto and operated by hand or by'a motor.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Assuming, for example, that it is desired to register the charges for$50.-- in twelve months,--the row of switches for the twelve months(last row of switches 2 in Figs. 2 and 3) as allotted to the switch keyprovided for $50." is depressed. Let us assume that it is the fifth keyof this row oi. switches. J

Upon the depression of the key the contact springs 6 adjacent to i5(Figs. 3 and 4) and mounted on shaft 3 of the switch keys are broughtinto metallic connection with vertical strips i4.

nets allocated to the cash register keys for printing $10, $6. 60c. and2c. The armatures 30 (Fig. '1) of these four relays are attracted, thecatches 3| release the push-pins 23 associated with these relays, andthe springs 26 force these pins down upon the cash register keys 22 sothat the cash register is set to operate the amount of $15.62.

. A hand or motor actuated lever is fastened to the shaft 35 (Fig. 6),the shaft is rotated and the four first toothed sectors 32 of each bankof 10 In accordance with the above-given sample.table,

the amount of $15.62 C is to be registered and these vertical strips areassociated with the following horizontal strips 18:

(a) with the 1. horizontal strip (from the botv 20, through thecorresponding conductors of the grids i1 and i8 and are connected withthe following keys (compare switch scheme Fig. 1)

M) with key for $10 (b) with key for $5 (0) with key for 600. (d) withkey for 20. Since the other end of the wires of all electromagnets andthe metal bodies 2 in the row .of

switches, together with the contact strips 6. are

connected to a supply of current (Fig.1), by depressing the requiredswitch key, four circuits are simultaneously closed by means of therelay magpusher elements fixed on shaft 35 are slightly rotated upwards,this causing the four racks 33 and the other toothed sectors to moveupwards. The toothed sectors 32 actuate the cams 31 of the fourpush-pins 23 which have been released, '15 and lift them until thecatches 3i snap into engagement. The two toothed sectors 32 which havenot been released perform the same motion, but run idle. The shaft 35 isthen immediately returned into its original position by 20 means of thelever and all the toothed sectors are returned to their initialpositions of rest. The

registering and calculating mechanism of the cash register may then beoperated in the usual manner by means of a hand or by a motor.

It is advisable to arrange for the reciprocating movement of the curvedracks and toothed sectors, that is to say the returning of the pushplns,to be effected simultaneously with the operation of the mechanism of thecash register 30 by suitable coupling to the shaft of the latter.

The block or unit of pusher elements is detachably mounted on asuitable'frame over the keys of the cash register, so that this lattercan be used when desired without the automatic 35 takiaiemetting device,after removal of the pusher un In order to provide for the possibilityof registering other amounts, independently of the table, while theautomatic table-setting device is in 40 position, a separate switchboard with individual switches for each of the relays can be provided inaddition to the switch block of the table, so that the keys of the cashregister can be operated through the intermediary of the relays and 4push-pins but independently of the automatic multiple switchingmechanism.

I claim:

1. In an electrical attachment for registering machines and the likecomprising a plurality of 50 registering keys, the combination of aplurality of contact keys for actuating the registering keys, aplurality of insulating plates, electrical conductors disposed on oneface of each plate, a plurality of conducting elements disposed on thesecond face of each plate and connected to predetermined conductors onthe first face of the plate, and electro-magnets connected to saidconducting elements to operate the registering keys, the said contactkeys being adapted to contact with the said conductors to excite saidelectroconducting elements disposed on the second face of each plate andconnected to predetermined conductors on the first face of the plate,said 76 conducting elements on the one face of the plate being disposedat right angles with respect to the conductors on the other face of theplate, insulating means disposed between the said 5 plates, andelectromagnets connected to said conducting elements to operate theregistering keys; the said contact keys being slidably disposedbetween'the said spaced plates and adapted to make contact with the saidconductors to excite the electro-magnets, whereby a single contact keyactuates a plurality of registering keys.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 comprising electrical conducting meansconnecting all conducting elements of the different plates leading tothe same electro-magnets, said conducting means being disposed at thefront and rear edges of said plates.

GUIDO GERHOLD.

